Display unit

Abstract

A display unit includes a display panel that includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. Each of the pixels includes one of an optical modulator and a self-luminescent element, and one of an electrochromic element, an electrophoretic element, and an electrowetting element. Each of the pixels further includes a pixel circuit that is configured to selectively drive the one of the optical modulator and the self-luminescent element, and selectively drive the one of the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element, and the electrowetting element.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A display unit comprising
 a display panel that includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the pixels including: 
 an optical modulator or a self-luminescent element; an electrochromic element, an electrophoretic element, or an electrowetting element; 
 a pixel circuit configured to selectively drive the optical modulator or the self-luminescent element, and selectively drive the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element, or the electrowetting element; 
 an indium tin oxide layer contacting a top surface of the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element or the electrowetting element; and 
 an insulating layer covering the top surface and a sidewall of the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element or the electro wetting element, 
 wherein the insulating layer is a continuous insulating layer, wherein the indium tin oxide layer contacts a top surface of the optical modulator or the self-luminescent element 
 wherein the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element or the electrowetting element comprises an electrode, and the electrode is separated from the indium tin oxide layer by the insulating layer. 
 
     
     
       2. The display unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element, or the electrowetting element is coupled in parallel to the optical modulator or the self-luminescent element, and the pixel circuit has a first electric current path and 
 a second electric current path that intersect each other at a node between the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element, or the electrowetting element, and the optical modulator or the self-luminescent element, the first electric current path being a path of an electric current flowing through the optical modulator or the self-luminescent element, the second electric current path being a path of an electric current flowing through the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element, or the electrowetting element. 
 
     
     
       3. The display unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the display panel further includes a substrate that supports the plurality of pixels, 
 and the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element, or the electrowetting element, and the optical modulator or the self-luminescent element are provided on a plane parallel to the substrate. 
 
     
     
       4. The display unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element, or the electrowetting element, and the optical modulator or the self-luminescent element are laminated to each other. 
     
     
       5. The display unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element, or the electrowetting element is shared between the plurality of pixels. 
     
     
       6. The display unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element, or the electrowetting element has optical transparency while receiving no voltage, and turns into a black or bluish-black state when receiving a voltage. 
     
     
       7. The display unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic element is in a white or gray state while receiving no voltage, and turns into a black or bluish-black state when receiving a voltage. 
     
     
       8. The display unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic element has optical reflectivity while receiving no voltage, and turns into a black or bluish-black state when receiving a voltage. 
     
     
       9. The display unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic element has optical reflectivity while receiving a positive voltage, and has optical transparency while receiving no voltage. 
     
     
       10. A display unit comprising
 a display panel that includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the pixels including: 
 a self-luminescent element; an electrochromic element, an electrophoretic element or an electrowetting element; 
 a pixel circuit configured to selectively drive the self-luminescent element, and selectively drive the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element or the electrowetting element, and 
 a continuous insulating layer covering a top surface and a sidewall of the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element or the electrowetting element 
 an indium tin oxide layer, 
 wherein the indium tin oxide layer directly contacts the self-luminescent element, and the continuous insulating layer separates the indium tin oxide layer from the top surface of the electrochromic element, the electrophoretic element or the electrowetting element. 
 
     
     
       11. The display unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the indium tin oxide layer contacts the top surface of the electrochromic element, wherein the indium tin oxide layer contacts the top surface of the self-luminescent element.